Earthworking implement tool assembly

ABSTRACT

An earth working implement having a high ground clearance beam connected to a frame unit having side plates. An upright standard is connected to an earth working tool and pivotally joined to the frame unit with links. Tracks on the side plates cooperate with rollers on the standard to guide the movement of the plow bottom to a trip position without the plow bottom going below its normal earth working position. Biasing structures, as a hydraulic cylinder or springs acting on the standard continuously holds and biases the plow bottom to its earth working position. In one form a shear pin in a control link holds the standard and tool thereon in the ground working position.

United States Patent Geurts 1 Aug. 26, 1975 [54] EARTHWORKING IMPLEMENT TOOL 3.416.611 12/1968 Fischer 172/264 X ASSEMBLY 3.439.748 4/1969 Ward 172/264 3.461.973 8/1969 Gcurts... 172/264 [75] lnventor: Cletus J. Geurts, Gibson City. 111. 3,5 55 3 970 ocrman 172 271 Assignecz Geurts, Inc. Minneapolis, Minn v 3.550.690 12/1970 Quanbeck 172/265 [22] Filed: Sept. 21, 1973 Primary Examiner-Stephen C. Pellegrino Appl. No.: 399,287

Related US. Application Data Division of Scr. No. 124,753. March 16, 1971. Pat. No. 3,760,882, which is a continuation-in-part of Scr. No. 486.712, Sept. 13, 1965. Pat. No. 3,642.074.

[57] ABSTRACT An earth working implement having a high ground clearance beam connected to a frame unit having side plates. An upright standard is connected to an earth working tool and pivotally joined to the frame unit with links. Tracks on the side plates cooperate with rollers on the standard to guide the movement of the plow bottom to a trip position without the plow bottom going below its normal earth working position. Biasing structures, as a hydraulic cylinder or springs acting on the standard continuously holds and biases the plow bottom to its earth working position. In one form a shear pin in a control link holds the standard and tool thereon in the ground working position.

36 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures EARTHWORKING IMPLEMENT TOOL ASSEMBLY CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a division of U.S. application'Ser. No. 124,753 filed Mar. 16, 1971, now U.S. Pat; No. 3,760,882 and a continuation-in-part of U.S.- Application Serial No. 486,712 filed Sept. 13, 1965, now US. Pat. No. 3,642,074.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A conventional agriculture plow and similar earth working implements have one or more tools or plow bottoms attached to beams mounted on a generally horizontal frame. The frame is connected to a draft vehicle, as a tractor, with an adjustable hitch. The plow beams are located relatively close to the ground when the plow bottoms are in ground working position. The result is that in fields with large amounts of trash, as corn stalks, straw, beans and the like, the low clearance of the plow beams causes the trash to collect and block the plow. The collected trash interferes with the action of the colters and the turning of the trash by the plow' bottoms. It is a common practice to mulch or chop the trash prior to plowing. This consumes considerable time, power and expense. Chopping and mulching devices have been applied to plows to break up the trash.

In addition to trashy conditions of agricultural lands, many soils may contain rocks, or similar obstructions which must be cleared by the plow bottom. Plow bottom trip releases are used to permit the plow bottoms to move back and over the obstructions. These trip releases are not particularly suitable with use in a high clearance plow. By increasing the height of the plow beams, there is a corresponding increase in the length of the standard and considerable lateral loading of the standard. This subjects the standards and their connecting linkages tosu'itable twisting and torsion forces. The result is excessive wear, and considerable breakage of the linkage when conventional plows are modified as a high clearance plow. An example of a low beam plow is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,349,855.

Several plow bottom reset designs have been devel-' oped for high' beam plows. Geurts U.S. Pat. Nos.

3,032,122 and 3,461,973 both show guide mechanisms for controlling the trip movement of the plow bottom. The spring trip release in Geurts U.S. Pat. No. 3,032,122 does not operate in combination with a hydraulic cylinder to hold the plow bottom in the earth working position, provide a biasing force during the upward movment of the plow bottom and provide a continuous biasing force to return the plow bottom to'its earth working position. The present invention has overcome these deficiencies of the trip release of Geurts us. Pat. No. 3,032,122.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an earth working implement and more particularly to an automatic holding and re-' lease mechanism for a plow bottom to prevent the plow share from breaking, bending or other injury when striking an obstruction.

The earth working implement has a high beam and is equipped with a biased standard connected to a guided track and roller mechanism. In one form of the inven' tion, hydraulic cylinders act continuously on the standard. Each hydraulic cylinder is located in a position which does not interfere with the trash on the ground. The track and roller guide mechanism increases lateral strength and stability of the standard and permits the use of a hydraulic cylinder which is subjected to relatively low pressure and thereby reducing the power of requirement for a hydraulic trip and reset system. Suction and longitudinal forces are also taken by the track and roller mechanism thereby minimizing the forces acting on the hydraulic cylinder. A relatively small hydraulic force is required from the hydraulic cylinder to yieldably hold the plow bottom in its normal earth working position. The hydraulic cylinder is the sole power source for holding, biasing and resetting the plow bottom. The track and guide structure is of such design that when the plow engages an obstruction the point of the plow bottom does not go below the normal working depth of the plow bottom as it rides over the obstruction. The track and guide structure is mounted on a frame'un'it. A guide plate secured to the beam 10- cates the frame unit on the beam. Clamp assemblies vertically and horizontally clamp the frame unit on the plow beam.

In a second form of the invention, spring means acting on a collapsible control link means bias and holds the path working tool in its ground working position. The control link means has an adjusting means whereby the force on the tool necessary to trip the tool can be adjusted. The standard moves along a path determined by track and roller means to control the position of the tool as it moves out of the ground and over an obstruction.'The tool does not go below the normal working depth as it rides over the obstruction.

Another feature of the invention is 'a biased colter disc integrated with the frame unit for the earth working tool holding and trip mechanism. A compression spring mounted in the frame unit biases a bell crank connected to'the upright support forthe colter disc to continuously hold the colter disc in its ground working position.

A third form of the invention has control link means that includes a shear pin or like holding means to hold the earth working tool in the ground working position. The tool will trip when the force on the tool is sufficient to break the shear pin whereby the control link collapses allowing the tool to move out of the ground'. 7

It is an object of the invention to provide an im-- proved load holding and release mechanism for the ground working tool of an earth working implement; such as a plow, lister, cultivator and the like having a high clearance beam. Another object is to provide a frame unit for a plow bottom holding the release mechanism that can be clampedto a plow beam. Another objectof the invention is to combine with a pl w a load holding and release mechanism which allows the plow standard to swing rearwardly and upwardly out of the ground without the plow point going below the plowing depth when the plow share strikes a fixed object, as a stone or the like. Another object of the invention is to provide a plow bottom holding and release mechanism which will yield when the plow bottom hits an object only to the degree necessary to clear the object whereby unplowed areas of a field are kept to a minimm. A further object of the invention is to provide a release mechanism for a plow bottom which will automatically reset without stopping the forward movement of the plow. Still another object of the invention is to provide a plow with an automatic load release mecha= nism for the plo.w bottom which can be used in conjunction with a tractor without a hydraulic pressure system.

IN THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a plow bottom holding and release assembly ona plow beam;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2; v

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a first modification of the plow bottom holding and release assembly of the invention; 7

FIG. 5 is an enlarged elevational view along line 55 of FIG. 4 viewing in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged bottom view along line 6-6 of FIG. 4 viewing in the direction of the arrows;v

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7 7 of FIG. 4; I 1

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 88 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a second modification of the plow bottom holding and release assembly of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9; and I FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line l11l of FIG. 9.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a moldboard plow bottom assembly indicated generally at 110 mounted on a diagonal box beam 112 of a plow. The assembly 110 has a frame unit 113 accomodating articulated linkage members 114 connected to an earthworking tool 116 shown as a moldboard plow'bottom. The bottom 1 16 can be replaced withother earthworking tools, as listers, chisel plows harrow teeth. and like tools. A hydraulic cylinder unit 117 subjected to relatively low pressure is connected to the articulated linkage 114. Unit 117 is an energy storing means comprising a piston and cylinder assembly which operates to continuously store and transmit a force to the linkage members 114 to bias the earthworking tool 116 in its forward normal ground working position.

Frame unit 113 has generally parallel upright side members or plates 118 and 119 secured to a bottom generally horizontal plate 121. Outwardly directed top plates 122 and 123 are secured to the top edges of side member 118 and 119. An upright diagonal back plate 124 extends between and is secured to the bottom plate 121 and the top plates 122 and 123. As shown in FIG. 3, plates 121, 122, and l24 form a generally U-shaped structure accommodating the box beam 112. A generally flat positioning block 125 is secured to the top of box beam 112. The side plates 118 and 119 extend adjacent the opposite sides of block 125, thereby locating the frame unit 113 on the box beam without theuse of holes in the beam. The beam 112 has additional blocks 125A to locate other frame units on the beam.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, secured to the forward ends of the top plates 122 and. 123 is a diagonal angle member 126 function to clamp the frame unit 113 on the diagonal beam 112. Eccentric or off-center holders or washers 129 and 131 surrounding endportions of the nut and bolt assemblies 127 and 128 arerotatable to firmly hold. by longitudinally clamping, the frame unit 113 in assembled relation with the box beam 112. Washers 129 and 131 along with the nut and bolt assemblies 127 and 128 facilitate the mounting of the frame unit 113 on the beams with a minimum of machin'ing and'labor. The clamping bolts 127 and 128, washer 129, and block 125 eliminates costly holes in the beam and bolts to attach a frame unit to a beam. Frame unit 113 is a standard assembly interchangeable with other assemblies having box shaped beams.

Returning to FIG. 1, articulated linkage 114 comprises a generally upright standard 132 having a lower end secured to the moldboard plow bottom 116. The upper portion of the standard 132 extends between the side plates 118 and 119 and is pivotally connected to a pair of generally horizontal links 133 and 134 with a generally transverse pin 137. The links 133 and 134 have upright arms 136 connected to the hydraulic cylinder unit 117. The forward ends of links 133 and 134 are pivotally connected to side plates 118 and 119 with a transverse pivot pin 138.

Rotatably mounted on standard 132 below pivot pin 137 are a pair of rollers 139 and 141. A transverse axle 142 secured to the standard 132 rotatably mounts the rollers 139 and 141 on opposite sides of the standard. Located on adjacent portions of the insides of side members 118 and 119 are generally upright convex curved tracks 143 and 144 providing cam and guide surfaces for rollers l39 and 141. Bolts 146 secure tracks 143 and 144 to the two rear upright portions 147 and 148 of the side members 118 and 119. As shown in FIG. 1, lower ends of tracks 143 and 144 have upwardly directed curved portions 149 which serve as stops for limiting the forward and downward motion of standard 132. When rollers 139 and 141 engage portions 149, the plow bottom 116 is in its normal earth- 1 working position.

The hydraulic cylinder unit 117 comprises a cylinder 7 151 carrying a piston (not shown) connected to a piston rod 152. A pivot pin 153 connects the outer end of rod 152 with the upper end of arms 136. The head end of cylinder 151 is located adjacent to generally upright support 154. A transverse pivot pin 156 connects the cylinder 151 to the support 154. A longitudinal member 157 secured to angle 126 and transverse diagonal support leg 158 carries the upright support 154. Member 157 is secured to top plates 122 and 123.

Located adjacent the forward lower portions of the side plates 118 and 119 is an angle member 159. A transverse pivot 161 connects the member 159 to side plates 118 and 119. Adjustably connected to the forward end of member 159 is an upright rod or standard 160. Rotatably mounted on the lower end of rod 160 is an upright sleeve 160A secured to a rearwardly di rected arm 162 rotatably carrying an upright colter disc 163. The upper end of member 159 is connected to a hydraulic cylinder unit 164. The cylinder unit 164 has a piston rod 166 connected with a pivot member 167 to the upper end of the member 159. The head end of cylinder 168 is connected with a pin 169 to a downwardly directed projection or support 171. Support 171 is connected to the forwafd end of longitudinal member 157. Member 159 engages a transverse stop edge on plate 121 to limit the pivotal movement of the member. thereby determining the normal ground working position of colter disc 163.

Both hydraulic cylinder. units 117 and 164 are connected to a common source of hydraulic fluid under pressure through a hydraulic line 172. A separate hydraulic line 173 connects the cylinder 164 with the line 172. Ths source of hydraulic pressure can bean accumulator, the-hydraulic-system of the power unit or tractor operatingthe'plow. I Y t In use, a plow having'a plurality of plow bottom assemblies 110 mounted on a diagonal beam 112 is connected to a power unit, as a tractor. Each assembly 110 has articulated connected linkage members 132, 133 and 134 which work with the coacting rollers 139 and 141 and guide tracks 143 and 144 to control the normal working depth of the plow bottom, and the tripping and reset path of the plow bottom. The coacting roller, track and side plate structures provide side or lateral as well as longitudinal and suction force receiving members or anchors for the standard 132. This structure enables the plow beam 1 12 to be positioned at a relatively high elevation with respect to the ground, giving the plow high ground clearance. A high clearance plow beam is advantageous in the working of extremely trashy fields, as picked corn fields. The lateral forces on the standard 132 are taken by the frame unit 113. This alleviates most of the twisting forces on the pivot pins 137 and 138.

The hydraulic cylinder unit 117 provides a continuous biasing force on arms 136 to hold the articulated linkage 1 14 in its normal ground working position. This is the only force holding the linkage down. With substantial forces being taken by the coacting roller and track guide means, a relatively low pressure cylinder unit 117 can be used to operate the plow bottom assembly without slamming the standard back to its forward positionuwhen the plow bottom 116 hits an obstruction, the point of the plow bottom 116 will move upwardly without going below its normal working depth. The linkage 132 and 133 folds upwardly against the biasing force of the cylinder unit 117. As soon as the plow bottom passes over the obstruction, the biasing force of the cylinder unit 117 resets or moves the plow bottom back to its normal earthworking position. The plow bottom 116 resets without stopping the forward motion of the plow.

The colter disc 163, located forwardly in the plow bottom 116, is biased to its earthworking position by the second cylinder unit 164. With both the first cylinder unit 117 and the second cylinder unit 164 connected to a common source of fluid under pressure, both the plow bottom 116 and colter disc 163 are held in their ground working positions with comparable amounts of force.

The hydraulic cylinder units 117 and 164 are located at least at the elevation of the plow beam 112 so they do not interfere with trash or foreign material that may be laying on the ground. When the colter disc 163 strikes an object, as a rock, it will pivot upwardly and ride over the object. The hydraulic cylinder unit 164 is a yiedable link biasing the arm 159 to reset and hold the disc 163 in its ground working position. When the plow bottom 116 strikes an object, as a rock, the plow botton 116 along with the standard 132 will ride upward along the path of tracks 143 and 144, moving the links 133 and 134 in a forward position.

The hydraulic cylinder unit 117 will be contracted as the plow bottom 16 moves upwardly against its hydraulic biasing force. The plow bottom 116 moves out of the ground without the point of the plow share going below the normal working depth. As soon as the plow bottom 1 16 passes over the object, the hydraulic cylinder unit 117 will force the plow bottom 116 back to its 6 ground working position. This is an automatic operation which is accomplished without stopping, reversing or changing the speed of the plow.

While there has been shown and described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is understood that various changes in the details of the hydraulic holding, release and returnmechanism, spring biasing structures, shear pin arrangement and other structures of the plow, plow bottom and colter may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 4-8, there is shown a modification of the plow bottom assembly of the invention indicated generally at 210 mounted on a diagonal box beam 212 of a plow. The box bean 212 is a conventional diagonal beam of a plow, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,642,073. The plow bottom assembly 210 has a frame unit 213 accommodating articulated linkage means 214. The linkage means 214 is connected to an earthworking tool 216 as shown as a moldboard plow bottom. The tool can be other earthworking structures, as listers, chisel plows, harrow teeth and the like. A biasing means indicated generally at 217 is connected to aportion of the articulated linkage 214 and theframe unit 213. The biasing means 217 comprises a pair of tension springs 217A and 217B which form energy storing means to continuously store and transmit a force to the articulated linkage members 214 to bias the earthworking tool 216 in its forward normal ground working position. The biasing force of the spring 217A and 2178 continuously biases the articulated linkage member 214 toward the ground working position when the tool moves up over an obstruction.

Frame unit 213 has generally parallel upright side members or plates 218 and 219 secured to a generally horizontal bottom plate 221. Outwardly directly generally horizontal top plates 222 and 223 are secured to the top edges of side members 218 and 219. An upright diagonal back plate 224 extends between and is secured to the bottom plate 221 and the top plates 222 and 223. Plates 221, 222 and 224 form a generally U- shaped structure having a forwardly directed opening to accomodate box beam 212. A generally flat positioning block 225 shown inFlG. 7 is secured to the top of box beam 212. Side plates 218 and 219 extend adjacent the opposite sides of block 225, thereby locating the frame unit 213 on the box beam without the use of holes and bolts through the holes in the beam. The block 225 eliminates costly jigging and drilling of the beam and the bolts to attach the frame unit 213 to the beam 212. The attachment without holes provides a stronger beam, as there are no holes to weaken the beam.

A generally flat base member or plate 226 is located over the forward ends of the top plates 222 and 223. A pair of nut and bolt assemblies 227 and 228 located in vertically aligned holes in the plates 221 and 223 and base member 226 function to clamp the frame unit 213 on beam 212. Eccentric or off-center holders or washers 229 and 231 surround end portions of the bolts. The washers 229 and 231 are rotatable to firmly hold, by longitudinal clamping, the frame 213 is assembled relation with the box beam 212. The washers 229 and 231 along with the nut and bolt assemblies 227 and 228 facilitate the mounting of the frame unit 213 on the beam 212 with a minimum of machining and labor. Frame unit 213 is a standard assembly interchangeable with other assemblies having box-shaped beams.

Linkage 214 comprises a generally upright standard 232 having a lower end attached to a moldboard plow bottom 216. Other types of tools can be attached to the standard 232. The upper portionof standard 232 extends between the side plates 218 and 219 and is pivotally connected to a pair of generally horizontal links 233 and 234 with a generally transverse pin 237. Links 233 and 234 have upright side-by-side arms 236. The forward ends of links 233 and 234 are pivotally connected to side plates 218 and 219 with a transverse pivot pin 238.

Rotatably mounted on standard 232 below pivot pin 237 are a pair of rollers 239 and 241. Transverse axle 242 securedto standard 232 rotatably mounts the rollers 239 and 241 adjacent opposite sides of the standard. Located on adjacent portions of the insides of the side members 218 and 219 are generally upright convex curved tracks 243 and 244. The tracks 243 and 244 have inside cam surfaces engageable by the rollers 239 and 241, respectively. Bolts 246 secure the tracks 243 and 244 to the two upright rear portions 247 of the side members 218 and 219.

As shown in FIG. 4, the lower ends of the tracks 243 and 244 have upwardly and forwardly curved portions 249 which act as limits or stops for determining the forward and downward position of the standard 232. When the rollers 239 and 241 engage portions 249, plow bottom 216 is in its normal earthworking position, as shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 7, and 8, the upper end of arms 236 are connected to forward portions of frame unit 213 with a control link means indicated generally at 251. Control link means 251 has a first member 252 having an end located between a pair of upright ears 253 secured to plate 226. A transverse pin 254 pivotally connects member 252 to the ears 253. Extended rearwardly from member 252 is a second member 255 pivoted to the top portion of arms 236 with a second transverse pin 256. The forward end of second member 255 is located between the bifurcated end 257 of the first member 252 and pivotally connected thereto with a transverse pin 258. Secured to the top of second member 255 is a forwardly directed arm 259 providing a rigid integral extension of member 255. The generally upright set screw or bolt 260 is threaded through arm 259 and engages the top of the first member 252. Set screw 260 is adjustable whereby the vertical position of the pivot pin 258 can be adjusted relative to the horizontal plane passing through the transverse axis of pivot pins 254 and 256. The transverse axis of pin 258 is above this plane, whereby the members 252 and 255 will pivot upwardly in opposite directions when the plow bottom is tripped or the standard moves in an upward direction. Secured to the forward end of arm 259 is a cross head 261. The forward portions of springs 217A and 2178 are connected to opposite ends of the cross head 261. The springs 217A and 217B bias the members 252 and 255 in a downward direction holding the set screw 262 in engagement with the member 252, as shown in FIG. 8. The adjustment of the set screw 262 will alter the angular relationship between the members 252 and 255. The closer the members are to longitudinal alignment, the more force is required to trip the plow bottom. The adjustment of the set screw 262 will change the tripping characteristics of the plow bottom.

The spring 217A and 217B extend rearwardly and downwardly adjacent the sides of plates 218 and 219. The rear ends of the springs 217A and 217B are secured to outwardly directed anchor bolts 262 and 263 attached to the side plates. The positions of the anchor bolts 262 and 263 relative to the side plates 218 and 219 can be changed to alter the tension of springs 217a and 217B- The anchor bolts can replace one of the bolts 246 used to secure the tracks 243 and 244 to the side plates.

Located forward of the plow bottom 216 is a colter assembly indicated generally at 264 aligned with the land side of the plow bottom. Colter assembly 264 has a bell crank unit indicated generally at 266. A transverse pivot pin 267 pivotally connects the bell crank unit 266 to the forward end of side plates 218 and 219. The bell crank unit 266 has a downwardly directed arm 268. a compression spring 269 extends downwardly between the side plates 218 and toward the arm 268. A transverse pivot pin 271 pivotally connects one end of spring 269 to arm 268. The opposite end of the spring is connected via a transverse pivot pin 272 to side plates 218 and 219. Substantially all of spring 269 is located between the side plates where it is concealed and does not obstruct or interfere with trash moving through the plow. The spring 269 biases the bell crank unit 266 in a clockwise direction into engagement with a stop edge 273 on the forward end of bottom plate 221.

Bell crank unit 266 has a body 274 extended forwardly from between the plates 218 and 219. The body 274 has a generally upright hole accommodating a support or rod 276. A pair of set bolts 277 threaded into the body engage the rob 276 to adjustably mount the rod on the body. The lower end of support rod 276 has an offset portion accommodating a sleeve 278. A rearwardly and downwardly directed arm 278 is secured to sleeve 278. Sleeve 278 is rotatably mounted on the bottom of rod 276 and is retained thereon with a forwardly directed pin 281. The pin 281 is located in a semicircular recess in the forward portion of the lower end of sleeve 278. The sleeve 278 has downwardly directed shoulders 282 and 283 located diametrically opposite each other as shown in FIG. 6 to form stops which limit the rotation of sleeve 278 relative to rod 276. In other words, the sleeve can rotate approximately on the rod 276.

The outer or lower end of arm 278 has a transverse axle 284. A colter disc 286 is mounted on the axle 284. The working depth of colter 286 is controlled by changing the position of rod 276 relative to the body 274. The alignment of colter 286 is adjusted by rotating rod 276 relative to the body 274. Both of these adjustments are achieved and maintained by action of the set bolts 277. v

The spring 269 acting on the bell crank unit 266 biases the colter 286 in a normal ground working position. When the colter strikes an obstruction, it can move upward against the biasing force of spring 269 a substantial distance. Preferably the colter can move 12 to 14 inches to clear obstructions. As the spring 269 is compressed, it moves upwardly between the side plates 218 and 219 and thereby provide a yieldable link continuously biasing the colter to its ground working position.

In use, a plow having a plurality of plow bottom assemblies2l0 are mounted on a diagonal plow beam connected to a power unit, as a tractor. Each assembly 210 has articulated linkage members 232,233 and 234 which work with the coacting' rollers 239 and 241 and guide tracks 243 and 244 to control the'normal working depth of the plow bottom, and the tripping and reset of the plow bottom. The coacting roller and track and side plate structures provide side or lateral as well as longitudinal and suction force receiving members for the standard 232. This structure enables the plow beam 212 to be positioned at a relatively high elevation with respect to the ground, giving the plow a high ground clearance. The high ground clearance is advantageous in working extremely trashy fields, as picked corn fields. The lateral forces on standard 232 are taken through frame unit'2l3. This alleviates most of the twisting forces from the pivot pins 237 and 238.

When the plow bottom 216 strikes an obstruction, it will ride upward, as determined by the path of tracks 243 and 244. This places a compression force on the A control linkage means. The biasing action of the springs 217A and 2178 tends to keep the linkage in its closed or extended position, as shown in FlGS. l and 8. When the force is sufficient, the link means 251 will collapse. As the link collapses, the pin 258 moves upward in the direction of arrow 287 shownin FIG. 8. This moves the cross head 261 in a forward and upward direction extending springs 217A and 2178. When the plow bottom 216 has passed over the obstruction, the plow is raised so that it can return to its down position. The springs 217A and 217B will bias the control link means back to its extended position.

Referring to FIGS. 9,, and 11 there is shown another modification of the plow bottom assembly of the invention, indicated generally at 310. The parts of plow bottom assembly 310 that correspond to the, plow bottom assembly 210 are identified with the same reference numerals having the suffix A.

Plow bottom assembly 310 has a shear pin control link means indicated generally at390 connected to the articulated linkage 214A and the frame 213A. The control link means 390 comprises a'first tubular member 391 pivotally connected to the upright ears 253A of transverse pin 392. Telescoped into the first member 391v is a second rod member 393. A transverse pin 394 pivotally connects the rod member 393 to the upper end of arms 236A. A shear pin 396 extends through suitable vertical holes in the member391 provides a stop for the end of the rod member 393. When the pin 396 is intact, the members 391 and 393 provide a fixed, solid link between. ears 253A and arms 236A, to thereby hold the plow bottom 216A in the ground working position.

Members 391 and 393 can have eye bolts thread into their ends whereby the lengths of the members can be adjusted.

In use,' when the plow bottom 216A strikes an obstruction, it will ride upwardly on the tracks 243A and 244A and pivot the arms 236A in. a forward direction. This places a forwardly directed force on the rod member 393 providing a shearing action on the pin 396. A large force or an impact force will shear the pin 296. This permits the arms 236A to continue to move in a forward direction whereby the plow bottom 216A can move upwardly over the obstruction. As scenes the plow bottom is free of the obstruction, the plow is raised. The plow bottom 216A will return to its normal .10 ground working position. A new shear pin is placed in the member 391. The plow is then ready to proceed.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. Inan earthworking implement having a beam: support means secured to the beam, said support means including a pair of generally upright and laterally spaced plate means, an earthworking tool, mounting means connecting said tool to said plate means, said mounting means including a generally upright section attached to the tool and a generally horizontally directed section having a portion located between the plate means, pivot means pivotally connecting the portion of the generally horizontally directed section to said plate means for pivotal movment of the mounting means about a transverse axis, upwardly directed arm means secured to the generally horizontally directed section of the mounting means and biasing means located generally above the-mounting means connected to the arm means and the support means continuously biasing the mounting means to yieldably hold the earthworking tool in an earthworking position and to allow the tool to be moved toward a release position when striking an obstruction and to force the tool to the earthworking position as soon as the tool passes over the obstruction.

2. The implement of claim1 wherein: the support means includes an upright member, said biasing means having a portion mounted on said upright member.

3. The implement of claim 2 wherein: the upright member is located forwardly of theearthworking tool.

4. The implement of claim 1 including: stop means attached to said plate means to limit the earthworking position of the tool, said biasing means biasing the mounting means into engagement with the stop means.

5. The implement of claim 1 wherein: said mounting means has a portion guided in a generally upright direction between said plate means.

6. Theimplement of claim l wherein: the upright arm means is located above'the earthworking tool.

7. The implement of claim 1 including: clamp means for holding the support means in assembled relation with the beam.

8. The implement of claim 7 including: block means secured to the beam, said support means cooperating with the block means to position the support means on the beam.

9. The implement of claim 1 including: clamp means for holding the support means in assembled relation with the beam, said clamp means including upright bolt means and'eccentric washer means surrounding the bolt means to horizontally clamp the support means on the beam.

10. The implement of claim 1 wherein: the biasing means is a hydraulic cylinder.

11. The implement of claim 1 wherein: the biasing means is spring means.

12. In an earthworking implement having a beam: support means secured to the beam, an earthworking tool, mounting means connecting said tool to the support means, coacting guide means on the mounting means and support means for guiding the tool in an upward direction, control link means connected to the support means and mounting means for holding the tool in its ground working position, said control link means being collapsible when the tool strikesan obstruction whereby the tool can move upwardly over the obstruction, said control link means including a first member secured to the support means, a second member secured to the mounting means, pivot means connecting the first member with the second member, whereby the members can move from generally aligned longitudinal positions to folded generally side-by-side positions, means secured to the second member and engageable with the first member to limit angular movement between said first and second members and determine said generally aligned longitudinal positions, and biasing means connected to the means secured to the second member to bias said first and second members to said generally aligned longitudinal positions.

13. The implement of claim 12 wherein: said means secured to the second member includes an arm extended over the first member and adjustable means to change the position of the arm relative to the first member.

14. The implement of claim 13, wherein: said biasing comprise spring means connected to the arm and support means.

15. The implement of claim 12 wherein: said support means includes a pair of generally upright and laterally spaced plate means, said guide means having a portion mounted on the plate means.

16. The implement of claim 12 including: stop means on the support means to limit the earthworking position of the tool, said biasing means urging the mounting means into engagement with the stop means.

17. The implement of claim 12 including: clamp means for holding the support means in assembled relation with the beam.

18. The implement of claim 17 including: block means secured to the beam, said support means cooperating with the block means to position the support means on the beam.

19. The implement of claim 12 including: clamp means for holding the support means in assembled relation with the beam, said clamp means including bolt means and eccentric washer means surrounding the bolt means to clamp the support means on the beam.

20. In an earthworking implement having a beam: support means secured to the beam, an earthworking tool, mounting means connecting said tool to the support means, coacting guide means on the mounting means and support means for guiding the tool in an upward direction, control link means connected to the support means and mounting means for holding the tool in its ground working position, said control link means including a first member secured to the support means, a second member secured to the mounting means, pivot means connecting the first member with the second member whereby the first member and second member can move from generally aligned horizontal positions to a folded position when the tool strikes an obstruction whereby the tool can move upwardly over the obstruction, means to limit the angular movement between said first and second members and determine said generally aligned horizontal positions, and biasing means connected to the control link means to bias said first and second members to their generally aligned horizontal positions.

21. The implement of claim 20 wherein: said means to limit angular movement between said first and second members includes an arm extended over one of said members and adjustable means to change the position of the arm relative to one of said members.

22. The implement of claim 21 wherein: said biasing means comprise spring means connected to the arm and support means.

23. The implement of claim 21 wherein: said biasing means comprise a pair of springs.

24. The implement of claim 20 wherein: said support means includes a pair of generally upright and laterally spaced plate means, said guide means having a portion mounted on the plate means.

25. The implement of claim 20 including: stop means on the support means to limit the earthworking position of the too], said biasing means urging the mounting means into engagement with the stop means.

26. The implement of claim 20 including: clamp means for holding the support means in assembled relation with the beam.

27. The implement of claim 26 including: block means secured to the beam, said support means cooperating with the block means to position the support means on the beam.

28. The implement of claim 20 including: clamp means for holding the support means in assembled relation with the beam, said clamp means including bolt means and eccentric washer means surrounding the bolt means to clamp the support means on the beam.

29. In an earthworking implement having a beam: support means secured to the beam, an earthworking tool, mounting means connecting said tool to the support means, coacting guide means on the mounting means and support means for guiding the tool in an upward direction, control link means connected to the support means and mounting means for holding the tool in its groundworking position, said control link means being collapsible when the tool strikes an obstruction whereby the tool can move upward over the obstruction, said control link means including a first member and a second member movable relative to the first member, shear pin means holding the first member and second member at a fixed length whereby the tool is held in its groundworking position, and clamp means for holding the support means in assembled relation with the beam, said clamp means including bolt means located adjacent the beam for clamping the support in a first direction on the beam and eccentric washer means movably mounted on the bolt means for clamping the support in a second direction on the beam.

30. The implement of claim 29 wherein: the first member is an elongated tubular member and the second member has a portion slidably positioned in the tubular member, said shear pin means extended through holes in the tubular member and the portion of the second member.

31. The implement of claim 29 wherein: said support means includes a pair of generally upright and laterally spaced plate means, said guide means having a portion mounted on the plate means.

32. The implement of claim 29 including: block means secured to the beam, said support means cooperating with the block means to position the support means on the beam.

33. In an earthworking implement having a beam: support means secured to the beam, an earthworkign tool, mounting means connecting said tool to the support means, coacting guide means on the mounting means and support means for guiding the tool in an upward direction, control link means connected to the support means and mounting means for holding the tool in its groundworking position, said control link means being collapsible when the tool strikes an obstruction whereby the tool can move upward over the obstruction, said control limk means including a first member and a second member movable relative to the first member, means holding the first member and second member at a fixed length whereby the tool is held in its groundworking position, and clamp means for holding the support means in assembled relation with the beam, said clamp means including bolt means located adjacent the beam for clamping the support in a first direction on the beam and eccentric washer means movably mounted on the bolt means for clamping the support in a second direction on the beam.

34. The implement of claim 33 wherein: said first member is a tubular member and said second member has a portion slidably positioned in the tubular member, said means holding the tubular member and portion in a fixed position to hold the tool in the ground working position, releasing said hold on the tubular member and portion whereby the second member can move relative to the first member when the tool strikes an obstruction whereby the tool can move upwardly over the obstruction.

35. The implement of claim 33 wherein: said support means includes a pair of generally upright and laterally spaced plate means, said guide means having a portion mounted on the plate means.

36. The implement of claim 33 including: block means secured to the beam, said support means cooperating with the block means to position the support means on the beam.

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 3,901 ,326

DATED August 26, 1975 INVENTORIS) Cletus J. Geurts It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 5, line 1, "cThs" should be -The Column 5, line 58, "botton" should be -bottom Column 5, line 62, "16" should be -ll6--;

Column 6, line 15, "bean" should be --beam-;

Column 6, line 63 "is" should be --in- Column 8, line 18, Z68. a" should be 268. A-

Column 8, line 34, "rob" should be -rod--;

Column 13, line 6, "limk" should be --link--.

Signed and Scaled this second Day of M1975 [SEAL] mm! c. MASON c. IARSIIAIJ. mum

Commissioner of 2mm, and Tmdenlarks Arresting Officer 

1. In an earthworking implement having a beam: support means secured to the beam, said support means including a pair of generally upright and laterally spaced plate means, an earthworking tool, mounting means connecting said tool to said plate means, said mounting means including a generally upright section attached to the tool and a generally horizontally directed section having a portion located between the plate means, pivot means pivotally connecting the portion of the generally horizontally directed section to said plate means for pivotal movment of the mounting means about a transverse axis, upwardly directed arm means secured to the generally horizontally directed section of the mounting means and biasing means located generally above the mounting means connected to the arm means and the support means continuously biasing the mounting means to yieldably hold the earthworking tool in an earthworking position and to allow the tool to be moved toward a release position when striking an obstruction and to force the tool to the earthworking position as soon as the tool passes over the obstruction.
 2. The implement of claim 1 wherein: the support means includes an upright member, said biasing means having a portion mounted on said upright member.
 3. The implement of claim 2 wherein: the upright member is located forwardly of the earthworking tool.
 4. The implement of claim 1 including: stop means attached to said plate means to limit the earthworking position of the tool, said biasing means biasing the mounting means into engagement with the stop means.
 5. The implement of claim 1 wherein: said mounting means has a portion guided in a generally upright direction between said plate means.
 6. The implement of claim 1 wherein: the upright arm means is located above the earthworking tool.
 7. The implement of claim 1 including: clamp means for holding the support means in assembled relation with the beam.
 8. The implement of claim 7 including: block means secured to the beam, said support means cooperating with the block means to position the support means on the beam.
 9. The implement of claim 1 including: clamp means for holding the support means in assembled relation with the beam, said clamp means including upright bolt means and eccentric washer means surrounding the bolt means to horizontally clamp the support means on the beam.
 10. The implement of claim 1 wherein: the biasing means is a hydraulic cylinder.
 11. The implement of claim 1 wherein: the biasing means is spring means.
 12. In an earthworking implement having a beam: support means secured to the beam, an earthworking tool, mounting means connecting said tool to the support means, coacting guide means on the mounting means and support means for guiding the tool in an upward direction, control link means connected to the support means and mounting means for holding the tool in its ground working position, said control link means being collapsible when the tool strikes an obstruction whereby the tool can move upwardly over the obstruction, said control link means including a first member secured to the support means, a second member secured to the mounting means, pivot means connecting the first member with the second member, whereby the members can move from generally aligned longitudinal positions to folded generally side-by-side positions, means secured to the second member and engageable with the first member to limit angular movement between said first and second members and determine said generally aligned longitudinal positions, and biasing means connected to the means secured to the second member to bias said first and second members to said generally aligned longitudinal positions.
 13. The implemeNt of claim 12 wherein: said means secured to the second member includes an arm extended over the first member and adjustable means to change the position of the arm relative to the first member.
 14. The implement of claim 13, wherein: said biasing comprise spring means connected to the arm and support means.
 15. The implement of claim 12 wherein: said support means includes a pair of generally upright and laterally spaced plate means, said guide means having a portion mounted on the plate means.
 16. The implement of claim 12 including: stop means on the support means to limit the earthworking position of the tool, said biasing means urging the mounting means into engagement with the stop means.
 17. The implement of claim 12 including: clamp means for holding the support means in assembled relation with the beam.
 18. The implement of claim 17 including: block means secured to the beam, said support means cooperating with the block means to position the support means on the beam.
 19. The implement of claim 12 including: clamp means for holding the support means in assembled relation with the beam, said clamp means including bolt means and eccentric washer means surrounding the bolt means to clamp the support means on the beam.
 20. In an earthworking implement having a beam: support means secured to the beam, an earthworking tool, mounting means connecting said tool to the support means, coacting guide means on the mounting means and support means for guiding the tool in an upward direction, control link means connected to the support means and mounting means for holding the tool in its ground working position, said control link means including a first member secured to the support means, a second member secured to the mounting means, pivot means connecting the first member with the second member whereby the first member and second member can move from generally aligned horizontal positions to a folded position when the tool strikes an obstruction whereby the tool can move upwardly over the obstruction, means to limit the angular movement between said first and second members and determine said generally aligned horizontal positions, and biasing means connected to the control link means to bias said first and second members to their generally aligned horizontal positions.
 21. The implement of claim 20 wherein: said means to limit angular movement between said first and second members includes an arm extended over one of said members and adjustable means to change the position of the arm relative to one of said members.
 22. The implement of claim 21 wherein: said biasing means comprise spring means connected to the arm and support means.
 23. The implement of claim 21 wherein: said biasing means comprise a pair of springs.
 24. The implement of claim 20 wherein: said support means includes a pair of generally upright and laterally spaced plate means, said guide means having a portion mounted on the plate means.
 25. The implement of claim 20 including: stop means on the support means to limit the earthworking position of the tool, said biasing means urging the mounting means into engagement with the stop means.
 26. The implement of claim 20 including: clamp means for holding the support means in assembled relation with the beam.
 27. The implement of claim 26 including: block means secured to the beam, said support means cooperating with the block means to position the support means on the beam.
 28. The implement of claim 20 including: clamp means for holding the support means in assembled relation with the beam, said clamp means including bolt means and eccentric washer means surrounding the bolt means to clamp the support means on the beam.
 29. In an earthworking implement having a beam: support means secured to the beam, an earthworking tool, mounting means connecting said tool to the support means, coacting guide means on the mounting means and support means for guiding the tool in an upward direction, control link means connected to the support means and mounting means for holding the tool in its groundworking position, said control link means being collapsible when the tool strikes an obstruction whereby the tool can move upward over the obstruction, said control link means including a first member and a second member movable relative to the first member, shear pin means holding the first member and second member at a fixed length whereby the tool is held in its groundworking position, and clamp means for holding the support means in assembled relation with the beam, said clamp means including bolt means located adjacent the beam for clamping the support in a first direction on the beam and eccentric washer means movably mounted on the bolt means for clamping the support in a second direction on the beam.
 30. The implement of claim 29 wherein: the first member is an elongated tubular member and the second member has a portion slidably positioned in the tubular member, said shear pin means extended through holes in the tubular member and the portion of the second member.
 31. The implement of claim 29 wherein: said support means includes a pair of generally upright and laterally spaced plate means, said guide means having a portion mounted on the plate means.
 32. The implement of claim 29 including: block means secured to the beam, said support means cooperating with the block means to position the support means on the beam.
 33. In an earthworking implement having a beam: support means secured to the beam, an earthworkign tool, mounting means connecting said tool to the support means, coacting guide means on the mounting means and support means for guiding the tool in an upward direction, control link means connected to the support means and mounting means for holding the tool in its groundworking position, said control link means being collapsible when the tool strikes an obstruction whereby the tool can move upward over the obstruction, said control limk means including a first member and a second member movable relative to the first member, means holding the first member and second member at a fixed length whereby the tool is held in its groundworking position, and clamp means for holding the support means in assembled relation with the beam, said clamp means including bolt means located adjacent the beam for clamping the support in a first direction on the beam and eccentric washer means movably mounted on the bolt means for clamping the support in a second direction on the beam.
 34. The implement of claim 33 wherein: said first member is a tubular member and said second member has a portion slidably positioned in the tubular member, said means holding the tubular member and portion in a fixed position to hold the tool in the ground working position, releasing said hold on the tubular member and portion whereby the second member can move relative to the first member when the tool strikes an obstruction whereby the tool can move upwardly over the obstruction.
 35. The implement of claim 33 wherein: said support means includes a pair of generally upright and laterally spaced plate means, said guide means having a portion mounted on the plate means.
 36. The implement of claim 33 including: block means secured to the beam, said support means cooperating with the block means to position the support means on the beam. 